Levana Ceri (Moon Love)

Author note: Thank you soo much for your reviews. I apologize profusely for the delay but I had lost the desire to finish this story. Then out of curiosity I came back and re-read the story and was slightly shocked to realize I had written it. Then I read the reviews. Thank you for your kind words. They alone inspired me to continue on. I just wrote this part up right now. Its not much but I hope to add much more. Your reviews are important and without them I doubt I would’ve continued. Special thanks to Zora and mojacko1984 for your kind words and support. :) 



Chapter 2



Serena sat huddled on a bench underneath the glow of her home the moon. She knew that being outside was dangerous...she even knew that leaving the safety of the house without informing anyone of her whereabouts, and in the middle of the night to boot was beyond stupid. But she couldn’t force herself to go back to the house. Back to the expectant faces of her friends who believed she would save them all. Back to the responsibilities that now weighed heavily on her, to the disappointment she knew would focus on her when her guardians realized….that she was gone and wouldn’t be coming back.



Serena raised her legs to the bench and wrapped her arms around her knees. She couldn’t save any of them. She couldn’t even save herself. She had just condemned not only her people but her friends and family to death. And yet she couldn’t force herself to go back. A sob escaped her throat, the agony of knowing she was worthless and selfish…it was unbearable.



She had seen the determination on Ray’s face earlier. Ray would make sure she got fucked…even if she had to arrange for her rape. Which is what it would be. And the others would stand by and allow it to happen. For the sake of them all they had no choice. Serena understood…a part of her even agreed with them. But she couldn’t sacrifice herself like that. “I’m not that damn bloody noble.”



Serena buried her head into her upraised knees and cried. Heart wrenching sobs racked her slim frame. She shuddered so violently she nearly missed the comforting hand that was placed gently on her head.



With a gasp Serena shot upright ready to spring into flight when she looked up into the eyes of her companion.



He quickly raised his hands up in a reassuring manner “Whoa, its ok. I’m not going to hurt you. Its just that you looked so lost…” The man slowly lowered himself to sit next to her but was wise enough to keep his distance so as not to frighten her. “A young and beautiful young woman like yourself shouldn’t be out alone on a dark night like this. If you don’t mind I’d like to keep you company.”



Serena slowly nodded her head and scooted over to allow the man to seat himself more comfortably. He was handsome. Probably the most handsome human she had seen since arriving on Earth. His hair was long and clipped back to keep from flowing into his face. Eyes were crystal blue and he had an air of dignity about him that reminded her of her days at court. He wore black slacks and a grey long sleeved sweater. His leather coat he removed and offered it to Serena. She gladly took it and wrapped herself in the warmth still left there from his body. Shorts and a white sweater were not the ideal outfit for a cold night like this.



The man sat quietly next to her not trying to converse with her, simply offering her companionship. Oddly enough she felt herself relax next to him and the weight on her heart slowly lifted. She glanced at him to see him sitting with his eyes closed, completely at ease.



“Thank you.” Serena said. He opened his eyes and gently smiled at Serena encouragingly.



“No need for thanks. A beautiful night. A wondrous moon. And a gorgeous young lady. What more could a man ask for?” He quietly teased her.



Serena felt a tiny grin tug at the edge of her lips.



“Ah, now I am truly blessed. A smile can do marvelous things for ones frame of mind. I don’t pretend to know why it is a woman like yourself would be suffering. But that you are is not in question.” Serena’s grin disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.



“I don’t mean to intrude. But often enough, simply discussing your problems with a sympathetic ear can lighten your woes.”



Serena huddled beneath his coat before saying forlornly. “Nothing can help me. And stalking about my problems wouldn’t solve anything. It would just make it more clear how horrible a person I am.”



The man gently placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Everyone is horrible at some point in their life. No one is perfect. But I highly doubt that whatever is affecting you is the end of the world. Life goes on.”



Serena chocked back a cry. If he only knew that its not just the end of A world, but the end of all worlds.



“Sitting here crying will not solve your problem. But it will help you reflect on whatever conflict you have and try to find a solution. There is always a way out. It just might not be what you would like. Either you can accept your fate or fight tooth and nail against it. In the end it is your choice. In the meantime the most I can offer you is a shoulder to cry on until you come to terms with your dilemma.”



Serena’s eyes sparkled in the moonlight with her unshed tears and the man’s offer was just too much for her to deny herself. She felt his arms hold her comfortingly while she cried out her sorrows. His hand slowly stroked her head soothingly.



Together the two sat under the moonlight until the dawn slowly rose. The warmth from the sun helped calm Serena and the man continued to hold her and stroke her hair. After a while Serena slowly raised her head from where it rested on the mans shoulders and met his eyes. “Thank you.”



The man smiled at her and said “No need for thanks. A beautiful day. A wondrous morning. And a gorgeous young lady. What more could a man ask for?” He repeated as he had said earlier.



Serena chuckled. “Déjà vu anyone?”



“Are you implying that I’m using the same line on you twice in one day?”



“No. One last night and one this morning. You were at least smart enough to wait until sunrise to use it again.” Serena said impishly.



The man stood and held a hand out to Serena so she could stand beside him. “Well I believe that our night of dilemma’s is at an end. My question to you now is have you found a solution?”



Serena thoughtfully chewed her lip before admitting quietly. “No. I need more time and I don’t think I’m going to get it.”



The man sighed beside her. “Time is one thing that we all have in spades. Time to live, to smile, to cry and to die. Time is not our friend. It simply is.”



“That was very philosophical of you. I’m surprised I understood it. I’m known to be a little flighty.” Serena cringed inwardly at the sound of Ray’s voice calling her an utter idiot in her head.



“What can I say? I am what I am. If I can’t help you with your dilemma would you allow me to help you with time?”



“I’m confused now. How are you going to do that?”



“I can offer you accommodations in the residence I am staying in. Its outside of the city and I would greatly appreciate your company. The others in my group are not that entertaining and can in fact be quite bors.”



“Others in your group?”



“Yes, my brothers.”



“You want me to come and stay with your family in your estate?”



“Well its not ours but we are on vacation. Actually we go where our work takes us and it happened to be that he wanted a break from his everyday life and the demands upon it. So I and my brothers have accompanied him.”



“Won’t your brothers mind you bringing home a girl?”



“I’m sure they will have much to say on the subject…and to be honest I am quite looking forward to their reactions. But I do think I should make something clear. They are not my brothers by blood…but by heart.”



“I don’t know. It sounds wonderful but I don’t know you. What if you take me there to kill me or something?” Serena said and cautiously took two steps back.



The man threw his head back and laughed. “If I had truly wanted to hurt you I could have done so by now.”



Serena thought it over and couldn’t help but agree with him. Besides the girls probably will notice she’s gone in an hour or so and they would scour the city until they found her. But they would never dream she would be in the country. She had a horrible sense of direction and they would find it impossible to credit her going that far.



Serena looked up at the man and smiled beamingly. “Ok. I’d love to go with you. At least until I can decide what to do.”



“Excellent. Perhaps you will find your answer there when you could not find it here. And you might even learn to trust me enough to confide in me.”



“I don’t have any clothes or luggage. I’m literally going as is.”



“I wouldn’t worry about that. I’m sure one of my brothers’ lady friends left something behind for you to wear until I can take you shopping for something more suitable. Let’s go.”



The man and Serena took four steps in the direction of his car before she stopped suddenly. “Wait. I don’t even know your name.”



“I apologize. How rude of me?” He bowed deeply before her with that old courtly charm she missed from her home. “My name is Zoisite. I am one of the Four Great Shitenou.”



“Just Zoisite. No last name?” Serena asked curiously.



“Just Zoisite.”



“Oh. Well my name is Serena. Serena Levana.”



Zoisite tilted his head curiously. “Isn’t Levana Hebrew for moon?”



Serena smiled. “Yes as a matter of fact it is.” Coming to Earth Serena and the Senshi had realized the importance of last names. Since Serena didn’t have one Amy had come up with Levana.



“Well then Miss Levana-”



“Serena.” Serena quickly interrupted.



“Serena. Then I must insist you call me Zoi.”



Serena nodded her head in agreement.



“As I said before, let us be on our way Serena before the Shitenou discover my absence. Then there will be hell to pay.”